Make a Disaster Plan for your Pets

START GETTING READY NOW: ID YOUR PET

Make sure that cats and dogs are wearing collars and identification tags that are up-to-date. You’ll increase your chances of being reunited with pets who get lost by having them microchipped; make sure the microchip registration is in your name. But remember, the average good Samaritan who finds your pet won’t be able to scan for a chip, but they will be able to read a basic tag.

Put your cell phone number on your pets’ tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area – in case you have had to evacuate.

Put together your disaster kit.  Assemble an emergency checklist and kit for yourself and your pets.

Click here for emergency checklists for your dogs and cats. 

Find a safe place to stay ahead of time. Never assume that you will be allowed to bring your pets to an emergency shelter.

Before a disaster hits, call your local office of emergency management to see if you will be allowed to evacuate with your pets and verify that there will be shelters in your area that take people and their pets.

Contact hotels and motels outside of your area to find out if they accept pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species. Inquire if a “no Pet” policy would be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy and make a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.

Plan with friends or relatives. Ask people outside of your immediate area if they would be able to shelter you and your pets – or just your pets – if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may need to arrange to house them at separate locations.

Consider a boarding kennel or veterinarian’s office. Make a list of day-care/boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies (make sure to include their 24-hour telephone numbers).

Plan for our pets in case you’re not home. In case you’re away during a disaster or evacuation order, plan well in advance for someone you trust to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Be sure the person is comfortable with your pets and your pets are familiar with them. Give your emergency caretaker a key to your home and show them where your pets are likely to be (especially if they hide when they’re nervous) and where your disaster supplies are kept.

If you have a pet-sitter, they may be able to help. Discuss the possibility well in advance.

IF YOU EVACUATE, TAKE YOUR PETS

Rule number one: if it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you’ll be kept out of the area, and you may be able – or allowed – to go back for your pets. Pets left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost, or killed.

Pledge to take your pet with you when disaster strikes.

Rule number two: Evacuate early.

Don’t wait for a mandatory evacuation order. Some people who have waited to be evacuated by emergency officials are limited in the options available for their animals. The smell of smoke or the sound of high winds or thunder may make your pet more fearful and difficult to load into a crate or carrier. Evacuating before conditions become severe will keep everyone safer and make the process less stressful.

IF YOU STAY HOME, DO IT SAFELY

If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together.

• Close off or eliminate unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened pets may try to hide.
• Move dangerous items such as tools or toxic products that have been stored in the area.
• Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say trouble is on the way. Keep dogs on leashes or harnesses and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification.
• If you have a room that you can designate as a “safe room”, put your emergency supplies in that room in advance, including your pet’s crates and supplies. Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies. If there is an open fireplace, vent, pet door, or similar opening in the house, close it off with plastic sheeting and strong tape.
• Listen to the radio and don’t come out until you know it’s safe.

AFTER THE DISASTER

Your home may be a very different place after the emergency is over, and it may be hard for your pets to adjust.

• Don’t allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pets may be disoriented. Pets can easily get lost in such situations.
• While you assess the damage, keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers inside the house. If your house is damaged, your pets could escape.
• Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible. Be ready for changes in behavior caused by the stress of a situation. If your pet(s) appear to be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian.
• If your community has been flooded, check your home and yard for wild animals who may have sought refuge there. Wildlife can pose a threat to you and your pets. Check out our tips for humanely dealing with wildlife issues.

BE READY FOR EVERYDAY EMERGENCIES

You can’t get home to your pets. There may be times that you can’t get home to take care of your pets. Icy roads may trap you at the office overnight, an accident may send you to the hospital – things happen. But you can make sure your pets get the care they need by making the arrangements now:

• Find a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member and five them a key. Make sure this back-up caretaker is comfortable and familiar with your pets (and vice versa).
• Make sure your back-up caretaker knows your pets’ feeding and medication schedule, whereabouts, and habits.
• If you use a pet-sitting service, find out in advance if they will be able to help in case of an emergency.

PLANS AREN’T JUST FOR HOUSE PETS

Disaster plans aren’t only essential for the safety of household pets. If you’re responsible for other kinds of animals during natural disasters, disaster plans for feral or outdoor cats, horses and animals on farms can be lifesavers.

Compliments of The Humane Society of the United States